3 Abergele Town Council

Transcription

1 3 Abergele Town Council MINUTES A meeting of the GENERAL PURPOSES and PLANNING COMMITTEE, held at 6.45 p.m. on Thursday, 20 th July, 2006 in the Town Hall, Llanddulas Road, Abergele The Chairman welcomed new member, Cllr. Ken Sudlow, following the election in Pensarn Ward on 13 th July and received confirmation of the signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office Attendance Register The Mayor, Cllr.C.J. MacRae Cllr. G.R.K. Brown (Chairman) Cllrs: C.A. Billington; M. Bird; D.A. MacRae; R. MacRae; M. Medlicott; J. Mortimer; R. Peacock (see Min.9492(d)(ii); B.C. Roberts; J. Stubbs; K. Sudlow Apologies for Absence Cllrs: D.A. Byrne; G.P. Davies; J.A. MacLennan Disclosure of Interest Cllrs: C.A. Billington; G.R.K. Brown; C.J. MacRae (see Min. 9500(a)) It was RESOLVED to RECEIVE, APPROVE and SIGN the Minutes of the GENERAL PURPOSES AND PLANNING COMMITTEE, held on 22 nd June, Matters Arising on Those Minutes : a) Min. 9424(a) -Town Council Website No further update was available. b) Min. 9424(b) - Proposed Removal of Brazier at Pensarn Beach It was NOTED that the Clerk is awaiting a quotation from a contractor approved by C.C.B.C. It was RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Clerk to progress this matter. c) Min. 9424(d) Abergele Bus Services (i) Members considered a further response from Bob Saxby to the ongoing concerns from residents regarding bus services in this area. It was RESOLVED to support Mr Saxby s proposals, thank him for his assistance and request a further update in due course.

2 4. (ii) Proposed changes to the Conwy bus services from 2/10/2006 were NOTED. d) Min. 9424(e) Abergele Hospital (i) It was NOTED that the consultation period has been extended to 28 th July, (ii) A copy of the response to the consultation sent by Alun Pugh, AM was RECEIVED. - Cllr. R. Peacock arrived at this juncture. (iii) A press release from the Board of CHCs was RECEIVED. (iv) It was NOTED that the responses initially received from the Abergele Visitor had been forwarded to Andrew Butters. (v) It was FURTHER NOTED that a second batch of responses, including a petition with 512 names, has now been received from the Visitor and that a third batch had been brought by Justine Bailey today. It was RESOLVED to forward these to Mr Butters, along with a further letter supporting the views of Alun Pugh and the Board of C.H.C.s and to state the concern of this Council to reports that the services at H.M. Stanley are already being transferred to Glan Clwyd, despite the consultation still being in progress and the proposals not being in keeping with the Government s policy to support and improve local hospitals. (vi) It was NOTED that the Welsh Assembly Government own the Abergele Hospital site, which is managed by Welsh Health Estates on their behalf. There is nothing in the deeds to restrict use of the site and this has been borne out by the previous disposal of some parts of the estate, e.g. Plas Uchaf. e) Min. 9424(f) Claimed Footpath near Tower Hill No further update was available. f) Min. 9424(g) Traffic Calming Members considered the response from Inspector Gary Ashton to questions raised by this Council regarding traffic calming at the last Ordinary meeting. Concerns were expressed regarding the proposed use of community officers for speed gun duties, thus removing them from other community policing duties. Members reported positive feedback to the new flashing warning signs, which had been provided by Arrive Alive funds at six locations in Conwy. It was RESOLVED, by a majority of 10 to 0 (2 abstentions), not to support Inspector Ashton s request for funding towards a speed gun.

3 5. g) Min. 9424(h) Temporary Traffic Regulations (Water Mains works) Notification of the September road closures was RECEIVED. h) Min. 9425(a)(i) Correspondence to C.C.B.C. A response from Derek Barker to the request made by this Council that correspondence be forwarded to relevant officers was NOTED. i) Min. 9245(a)(ii) Footpath No. 6 (Woodland Estate) It was NOTED that no response had been received to the letter sent to Ian Lord (Highways Dept.) requesting improvements to this footpath be considered. j) Min. 9245(d) General Practitioner with Special Interest Services It was NOTED that no response had been received to the letter sent to the Abergele Surgery to enquire if they have any plans to develop GPwSI services. k) Min. 9245(j) Open Watercourse Eldon Drive (i) A further letter from Mr Jones was NOTED. (ii) It was NOTED that no response had been received to the letter sent to Derek Barker (which had been acknowledged) and copied to David Jones, MP and Alun Pugh, AM. (iii) It was FURTHER NOTED that no response had been received to the letter sent to Cllr. Mike Priestley, Cabinet Member for the Environment Correspondence: It was RESOLVED to write again to all of the above to request a response to the concerns raised. a) It was NOTED that a Federation Meeting of the Community Health Councils was held in Colwyn Bay on Monday 10 th July. b) Sports Council for Wales Coach of the Year Awards It was NOTED that a request for nominations from the Conwy Area had been received from Leisure Services. It was RESOLVED to ensure a copy of this had been sent to all local sports clubs and associations. c) Conwy County Borough Sports Awards It was NOTED that nominations for Conwy County Borough Sports Awards 2006 are being sought and that Members should contact the Clerk if they wished to nominate any local people for awards.

4 6. d) Saint Kentigern Hospice An invitation to purchase tickets for The King and I and a pre-show meal was RECEIVED. e) North Wales Fire & Rescue Authority The Draft Risk Reduction Plan for 2007/08 and Action Plan was RECEIVED and NOTED. f) CCBC Rights of Way Improvement Plan Notification about a questionnaire, aimed at individuals using or interested in public rights of way was RECEIVED. Members were requested to contact the Clerk for a copy of the questionnaire. g) WAG Guidance on Providing Indemnities to Members and Officers of Relevant Authorities Guidance received from WAG on providing indemnities, following the Local Authorities (Indemnities for Members and Officers)(Wales) Order 2006 was NOTED. It was RESOLVE to REFER this to the Executive Sub-Committee, for consideration when reviewing Risk Assessment. h) Local Works Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill An update on progress with the campaign was NOTED. i) Future Burial Provision (i) Members RECEIVED a report from the meeting held on 4 th July, 2006 to discuss future burial provision. (ii) Members considered the request from Lyn Davies that the Town Council confirms whether it is in agreement with the proposals made by the group. It was RESOLVED unanimously to support proposal b), that progress should now be made with commencing C.P.O. proceedings for the land off St. George road, but not proposal a). j) CCBC (Prohibition of Stopping)(Hackney carriage stands in the County Borough of Conwy) Order 2006 It was NOTED that the proposed order is to consolidate authorised cab ranks into the Council s parking enforcement remit. k) Welsh Assembly Government First Minister s Report A copy of the report Working for Wales was RECEIVED. l) Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust An invitation to a garden party, details of an exhibition at Abergele library on the North Wales Country House and a new publication on the subject of archaeology, myths and legends of the Gwrych Castle Estate was NOTED.

5 7. m) National Federation of SubPostmasters (N.F.S.P.) A letter regarding the proposed withdrawal of the Post Office card Account by the Dept. for Work & Pensions was considered. It was RESOLVED to write a letter of concern to the D.W.P., with copies to all local MPs and AMs and the N.F.S.P. n) CCBC Notice of Planning Appeal It was NOTED that Vodafone are appealing against the refusal of planning permission by CCBC for a mast and associated equipment at Peel Street Industrial Estate (Ref: 0/30999). o) Letter from Resident A letter of concern from a resident of St. Davids Road was considered. It was RESOLVED to forward details of the concerns raised to: (i) The Harbour Master, regarding disabled access to the beach and (ii) Highways Dept. regarding a dropped kerb required near the bus stop on Llanddulas Road. p) Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 A consultation paper from W.A.G., received via the North Wales Association of Town & Larger Community Councils, was RECEIVED. It was NOTED that Rhyl Town Council had some experience of gated alleyways and that problems were experienced with these. q) The Mount A letter of concern from a resident of Wenfro regarding litter, fly tipping and drinking in this area was considered. It was RESOLVED to forward a copy of these concerns to CCBC Environmental Services Department (litter and fly tipping) and P.C. Neale Duffy (youths drinking and discarding bottles and cans). r) Proposed Transfer of Housing Stock by CCBC It was NOTED that Andrew Bowden, Head of Housing Service, and Cllr. Dilwyn Roberts, Chairman of the Housing Options Task & Finish Group, will be able to attend a special meeting of the Council at a date to be agreed in September Llys Onnen Home for the Blind and Elderly Members considered concerns raised by Cllr. J.A. MacLennan and Cllr. D.A. MacRae about any funds raised and legacies left to the North Wales Society for the Blind specifically towards Llys Onnen and what will happen to these if ownership of the home is transferred.

6 8. It was NOTED that at least 16 letters of concern had already been sent to the Charity Commission. It was RESOLVED that the Council write to the Charity Commission to state its concerns about the future use of funds, which were specifically given for this home and the assurances which were given over 3 years ago, when the home was last threatened with closure Risk Assessment a) A leaflet has been received detailing changes to the fire safety law, which come into effect on 1 st October 2006, was NOTED. b) It was NOTED that detailed guidance has been received from H.M. Government of Fire Safety Risk Assessments for Small and Medium Places of Assembly. c) It was RESOLVED to DELEGATE responsibility to the Executive Sub- Committee to review the Risk Assessment conducted in Membership of Sub-Committees and Representatives on Outside Bodies a) It was RESOLVED to fill the following vacancies, (previously deferred pending appointment of a new Member for Pensarn Ward and for confirmation of vacancies on Boards of School Governors from the Clerk to the Governors): (i) Community Care Sub-Committee: Cllr. D.A. MacRae (ii) Abergele Branch of the Royal British Legion: Cllr. M. Medlicott (iii) Ysgol Glan Gele Board of Governors: Cllr. M. Medlicott (iv) Ysgol Glan Morfa Board of Governors: Cllr. G.R.K. Brown to remain It was FURTHER RESOLVED to arrange a meeting of the Community Care Sub-Committee to discuss further the threat to Llys Onnen Home for the Blind and Elderly (see Min above). b) It was NOTED that representatives on the Schools Board of Governors are appointed for a four year term and that any resignation during this term should be notified in writing to the Clerk to the Governors and copied to the Town Clerk Annual Leave It was NOTED that the Clerk will be on Annual Leave week commencing Monday 31 st July and week commencing Monday 21 st August and that members should contact the Mayor if any urgent items arise during these periods.

7 The Following Minutes were RECEIVED: a) Special Meeting, held on Thursday 6 th July, 2006 b) Local Government Sub-Committee, held on 13 th July, 2006 c) Christmas Decorations Sub-Committee, held on 17 th July, Matters Arising on Those Minutes a) Min Special Meetings It was NOTED that the Clerk has authority to act on the draft minutes and there is no reason, therefore, to hold a Special Meeting to confirm those minutes. b) Local Government Sub-Committee (i) Min Electoral Arrangements in Wales It was RESOLVED to endorse the draft response of the sub-committee to the questions raised in the Electoral Arrangements in Wales document (see Schedule A of those minutes). (ii) Min Good Practice Guide It was RESOLVED to DEFER considering the recommendation made by the sub-committee that this Council should work in close partnership with the Abergele Regeneration Team and that it should appoint two representatives to attend future meetings until the Policy & Finance Committee, to be held later today. c) Christmas Decorations Sub-Committee It was NOTED that a full survey of the lamp columns used for festive lighting had been undertaken by CCBC (Street Lighting Section) and that some major infrastructure work was required. Detailed estimates for this work would be required, but provisional costs had been added to the budget for It was RESOLVED to ENDORSE the following recommendations of the subcommittee: (i) Min. 9436(f) Financial Contributions - That letters be sent to some of the larger local businesses and National companies with local branches to request financial assistance towards the lighting scheme for 2006/07 and that an article is put in the September newsletter asking any local businesses if they would like to contribute. (ii) Min Lighting Review and Recommendations -That authority be delegated to the Clerk, along with the Mayor and the Chairman of the sub-committee, to proceed with appointing a contractor to carry out the infrastructure work as soon as possible, providing the agreed budget is not exceeded.

8 10. It was FURTHER RESOLVED to REFER the revised budget to the Policy & Finance Committee, to be held later today Planning / Licensing Applications a) The planning applications detailed on Schedule A attached were discussed and concluded as recorded on that schedule. - Cllr. J. Stubbs took no part in the discussion on these applications. - The Mayor, Cllr. C.J. MacRae, and Cllrs: G.R.K. Brown and C.A. Billington declared an interest in application 0/32087 and took no part in the discussion on this application. b) The planning decisions issued by C.C.B.C. for the Abergele area between the 19 th June and 2 nd July, as detailed on Schedule B attached, were NOTED. c) There were no licensing applications registered by C.C.B.C. for the Abergele area for the period 3 rd July 14 th July. The Meeting Closed at 8.35 p.m.. Chairman